Physical therapy is defined as a field of rehabilitative health that treats musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, and limitations through hands-on therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education. Physical therapy helps patients regain optimal function and improve movement, strength, range of motion, endurance, and flexibility. Physical therapy can help patients at any stage of their health and recovery journey, from preventive measures and pre-surgery preparation to post-surgery and injury recovery.
Who are physical therapists?
Physical therapists are board-licensed health professionals that are required to earn a doctorate in physical therapy in the United States. Physical therapists are experts in movement and the function of the human body. They evaluate each patient and develop a treatment plan, utilizing passive and active techniques to promote mobility, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
Who are physical therapy assistants?
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of a physical therapist. They are required to earn an associate degree in physical therapy. PTAs work with patients to implement the plan of care established by the physical therapist. They can perform therapeutic exercise, functional training, deep soft tissue massage, and physical modalities like electrotherapy and ultrasound.
What kind of treatments are offered during physical therapy?
Physical therapists provide both passive and active physical therapy treatments to address the physical impairments and limitations of the patient. Passive treatments include manual therapy, dry needling, heat or ice packs, soft tissue and joint mobilization, electrical stimulation (TENs unit), kinesiology taping, and ultrasound. Active treatments include movement-based activities (stretching or range of motion exercises), specific strengthening exercises, lumbar or cervical traction, aquatic therapy, and low-impact aerobic conditioning.
What happens during a physical therapy appointment?
During your first physical therapy appointment, you will meet with the physical therapist who will conduct a one-hour evaluation to assess your physical limitations or injury, provide instruction about your injury and ways to prevent injury, offer recommendations for next steps to achieve your health goals, and devise a treatment plan involving both manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for optimal recovery. Based upon your diagnosis, the physical therapist will outline your treatment goals and frequency of visits.
What is a home exercise program?
Following the completion of your physical therapy sessions, your physical therapist will provide you with a home exercise program (HEP) to maintain function, movement, and strength. A home exercise program continues the progress made during physical therapy, increases mobility and endurance, and can help a patient remain pain-free and functional. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, patients who have completed their physical therapy are offered a free month of wellness, in which they can continue to come to the clinic and utilize our exercise equipment to maintain their health and implement their home exercise program.
Who is physical therapy for? Is it only for those who are seriously injured?
Physical therapy benefits individuals who are seeking preventive care, those recuperating from minor or serious injuries, and those who have undergone surgery. Physical therapy can be used to prevent disability, treat impairments from neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, and rehabilitate individuals who have had a stroke. Physical therapy can also help in the management of chronic pain, improves quality of life, and addresses underlying musculoskeletal disorders.
Why choose physical therapy over surgery, the chiropractor, or a personal trainer?
Personal training, massage therapy, and the practice of chiropractic care all play a role in patient recovery. However, physical therapists focus on movement and the restoration of the entire body and are qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and provide treatment to restore function of the body.
Physical therapy is an excellent first option prior to surgery and can be as effective as surgery for certain conditions with a lower cost. A University of Pittsburgh study revealed that patients who engaged in physical therapy achieved similar outcomes to those that underwent surgery.